Who Cares? Why Bother? Real Writing for Real People

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

9:30-10:15 a.m.

Project management is 90% communication, and of the 90%, much of it written communication. The success or failure of projects oftentimes rests with a project manager's ability to produce clear and concise project documentation such as project charters, requirements, scope statements, schedules, compliance documentations, contracts, and reports. This presentation will demonstrate the correlation between good writing and successful projects, as well as the effects of poor writing on failed projects.

9:30-10:15 a.m.

This diverse group of people will share stories of writing grit and perseverance! Students will benefit from hearing experiences about writing challenges, the work it took meet them, and the subsequent and/or surprising rewards that came from completing a variety of writing tasks.

11-11:45 a.m.

Email Like a Pro: This is not a Text

ATC 122/124

Ann Alexander, Professor, General Business, Grand Rapids Community College

Email is the primary written communication tool in business. In this session, you will learn principles for creating effective emails that deliver your message with competence and credibility.

11-11:45am

Every wonder about the longterm value of the "personal essays and narratives, autobiography, free-writing and journals" created in first-year college composition courses? A counselor shares recently discovered voices from her early college years and beyond, the gift of self-compassion, and the journal as a tool toward wholeness.

12:30-1:15 p.m.

What Editors Need, What Editors Want

ATC 122/124

Panelists with a range of experiences in professional editing (including journalism, literary magazines, and book publishing) discuss the importance of writing skills to their work as editors, as well as what they look for in the writing they select for publication, and the writers they choose to work with.

12:30-1:15 p.m.

Writing Expectations at Four-Year Institutions

ATC 168

Panel members, former GRCC students, will talk about their writing experiences and requirements at their transfer institution. Questions for the panel will focus on level of preparedness for upper level courses, some examples of writing assignments, and advice for current GRCC students who wish to be successful in their writing assignments at their transfer institution.

2-2:45 p.m.

The Hidden World of Everyday Writing

ATC 120

Matt Korn and Ellie Simpson, Professional Tutors, GRCC ASTS

Everyone writes more than they realize. We will discuss bridging the gap between classroom writing and social media.

2-2:45 p.m.

A presentation on writing dialogue for stage and page, with examples from our plays and fiction and discussion with participants that will incorporate questions and answers.

2-2:45 p.m.

Editing Your Work in the Real World

ATC 168

Erica Wikander, Rori Meyer, Jay Forstner

This panel will introduce three professionals who will share how they edit their written work for professional audiences.

3:30-4:15 p.m.

Closed Captioning

ATC 122/124

Simon C. Kittok, Media Caption Technician, GRCC

I'll be discussing my decade working in the captioning industry (both commercial and educational). I'll also discuss the ever increasing need for closed-captioning on video material due to ADA mandates, and the increasing pool of transcription and captioning employment opportunities. A solid knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and sentence structure is vital for creating and editing effective captions.

3:30-4:15 p.m.

Creative Writing Reading

ATC 168

Todd Kaneko

Stacy Walsh

Rory Meyer

Arnie Johnston and Debbi Percy

Maryann Lesert

Max Lockwood

Thursday, October 6, 2016

9:30-10:15 a.m.

Effective Technical Writing

ATC 122/124

Kelly Webber, IT Customer Support Desk Coordinator, GRCC

Communicating technical content to both technical and non-technical audiences with precision and clarity is a skill highly sought after. Learn the importance and application of writing with clarity and simplicity to audiences of all technical skills.

9:30-10:15 a.m.

The Power of Context: Feedback for Writing, Feedback for Life

ATC 168

Daniel Sullivan, Language Arts Lab Director, GRCC

This purpose of this talk is to examine the situated nature of feedback as it pertains both writing and everyday events and experiences. The presenter will draw upon his experiences as a tutor, teacher, writer, and athlete to explicate how useful feedback depends on and emerges from the various contexts in which the text/skill/experience resides.

11-11:45 a.m.

Discussion of the importance of cover letters, resumes, and thank you notes for the employment process. We will go through the purpose of each of these documents and how showcasing good writing skills is important to employers that are searching for employees.

11-11:45 a.m.

From Emoji to Library of Congress Subject Headings: a library research process for the undergraduate writer

ATC 168

Steven Putt, GRCC Systems and Web Librarian, GRCC

Your approach to library research is a critical component to your writing. This presentation will begin with a writing topic expressed as emoji, transition to a research question, and end with high quality academic research resources for the writer.

12:30-1:15 p.m.

Writing can bear witness and serve as a mirror - even when we don't want to confront difficult issues. Maryann Lesert, writer and GRCC professor, shares her experiences in writing to make a difference and accepting the role of writer as activist.

2-2:45 p.m.

The "Power of the Written Word" is a workshop designed to illustrate how writing served as coping mechanism growing up in an environment that was plagued with desolation and devastation. By telling my truth and committing my life experiences to paper has allowed me to positively impact individuals all over.

2-2:45 p.m.

GYRO (Get Your Read On)

ATC 168

Sophia Ward Brewer, MLIS, Librarian, Grand Rapids Community College

Want to write better? Then get your read on… Learn how reading for pleasure can expand your knowledge and advance your writing skills.

Reading for pleasure can be enjoyable, informative, and extremely rewarding, but did you know that reading can also help you develop your writing? During this presentation, we will discuss how reading can expand knowledge and positively affect your writing. We will share ideas and explore the pleasure of reading, so that you can move like you GYRO ... “GET YOUR READING ON.”

3:30-4:15 p.m.

Professional Writing: Cover Letters, Resumes, Emails, Social Media and More

ATC 122/124

Charlsie Dewey, Reporter, Grand Rapids Business Journal

I am going to present some examples of cover letters and resumes that need work and talk about how to write a cover letter and resume and why it's important for attendees to be able to present themselves through writing. I will also discuss writing for email, social media, etc., and talk about why, in many cases, it's important to be professional and formal in those formats as well.

3:30-4:15 p.m.

Building Belonging with Our Words

ATC 168

Tamber Bustance

How does language evolve and what does culture play in the shift? In this workshop, participants will explore the importance of using the "right" words, or inclusive language, along with fostering a climate of open, effective communication about our words.